Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish Envoys Meet Iran in Tehran Over Houthi Attacks
Delegates from the Mecca Defense Alliance gathered on October 26 to negotiate a halt to missile strikes that have killed 13 people in Riyadh and disrupted global oil shipments.
By Emily Lawson ·
Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey convened in Tehran on October 26 to meet with Iranian officials. The trilateral group, known as the Mecca Defense Alliance, aimed to address escalating violence in the Middle East that has disrupted the movement of oil and cargo across the region.
A senior security official in Islamabad stated that a primary goal of the talks was to persuade Iran to use its influence to stop Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi territory. The official noted that the alliance countries were prepared to propose closer security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel as a form of leverage. According to the official, the logic is that if Iran does not comply, Saudi Arabia might seek support from Israel, potentially requiring Riyadh to join the Abraham Accords. The accords, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The official added that Turkey, which already maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, could present this scenario to Tehran if the Iranian government refuses to rein in the Houthis. While Iran might agree to limit Houthi attacks, the official said it is unlikely that the regime would change its position in negotiations with the United States regarding the ongoing war.
Azaz Syed, an analyst based in Islamabad, described the meeting as a critical moment amid fears that Washington is preparing to resume military strikes on Iran. Syed noted that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, visited Tehran the previous week and reportedly delivered a final warning to the Iranian government. Syed characterized Munir’s visit as a last-ditch effort to convince Iranian leaders to reach a negotiated settlement with the United States.
Hamidreza Azizi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group in Belgium, said the Tehran meeting represents a final attempt to prevent further escalation. Azizi stated that the immediate priority is preventing the resumption of war between Iran and the United States. He added that the timing of the October 26 meeting suggests regional countries are concerned that diplomatic efforts may soon run out of time.
The Houthi rebels, who operate primarily from Yemen and align with Tehran, have intensified missile strikes on Saudi Arabia. Their targets include airports and oil infrastructure. This escalation occurs while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, a waterway that typically handles about one-fifth of global oil and gas flows. In early October, Houthi forces attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 13 people and injuring more than 300. The rebels have also warned airlines to avoid using Saudi airspace, prompting Saudi Arabia to launch strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
Tensions between Iran and Pakistan have also risen recently. Islamabad closed two border crossings between Baluchistan and Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan Province. Pakistan also changed its digital declaration procedure for tracking foreign currency remittances related to Iranian exports. Sources indicate that Islamabad suspended operating clearance for Mahan Air, an Iranian airline linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. In response, Iran halted exports of Liquified Petroleum Gas to Pakistan, causing gas prices to rise for domestic and commercial consumers. Pakistan imports approximately 7,000 metric tons of LPG from Iran daily.
Reza Amiri Moghadam, the Iranian envoy to Islamabad, said consultations with Pakistan are underway to resolve cross-border trade issues. He noted that several hundred trucks carrying LPG crossed into Pakistan at the Rimdan border but have remained there for weeks without being unloaded or cleared. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly posted on social media that the meeting underscores the Mecca Pact states' commitment to regional security. Rabia Akhtar, a professor of international relations at the University of Lahore, said the partners aim to prevent the confrontation from escalating further. She described the effort as regional crisis management rather than the creation of a new security structure.
Source: RFE/RL
